《论美国的民主·卷一·第十一章·合众国的出版自由》第4节
It is not uncommonly imagined in France that the virulence of the press originates in the uncertain social condition, in the political excitement, and the general sense of consequent evil which prevail in that country; and it is therefore supposed that as soon as society has resumed a certain degree of composure the press will abandon its present vehemence. I am inclined to think that the above causes explain the reason of the extraordinary ascendency it has acquired over the nation, but that they do not exercise much influence upon the tone of its language. The periodical press appears to me to be actuated by passions and propensities independent of the circumstances in which it is placed, and the present position of America corroborates this opinion.
注释摘要
托克维尔在这里做了一个相当尖锐的区分。许多法国人把本国报刊言辞的粗野蛮横一股脑归因于社会不安定，他们以为等社会重新平静下来，报刊的调子自然就会跟着温和。他承认前面这一半——社会动荡、政治亢奋、普遍的厄运感——确实解释了报刊为什么能在法国获得那样非同寻常的支配力，但他拒绝承认这些原因能解释报刊语言本身的腔调。换言之，环境可以说明它的势力大小，却不能说明它的风…